| |
|
| Table of contents |
|
2 The Plan 3 Allied Force Composition 4 The Southern Attack 5 Initial Landings 6 Kesselring's Response 7 Battles of Operation Shingle |
At the end of 1943, following the Allied invasion of Italy Allied forces were bogged down at the Gustav Line, and defensive line across Italy south of the psychologically important objective of Rome. The terrain of central Italy had proved ideally suited to defence, and German General Albrecht Kesselring had proved more than able in exploiting it. A number of Allied proposals were made to break the stalemate, but Winston Churchill's idea for "Operation Shingle" was accepted by Roosevelt and Stalin. A major attack in the South by US Fifth Army and the British Eighth Army would draw Germany's depleted forces away from the areas around Rome, and from the hills between Rome and the coast. This would make possible a surprise landing by the US VI Corps under Major-General John P. Lucas in the Anzio/Nettuno area, and a rapid advance into the Alban Hills to cut German communications and "threaten the rear of the XIV German Corps".
Planners argued that if Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring (in charge of German forces in Italy) pulled troops out of the Gustav Line to defend against the Allied assault, then Allied forces would be able to break through the line; the planners felt that if Kesselring did not pull troops out of the Gustav Line, then Operation Shingle would threaten to capture Rome and cut off the German units defending the Gustav Line. Should Germany have adequate reinforcements available to defend both Rome and the Gustav Line, the Allies felt that the operation would be a success in engaging forces which could otherwise be committed on another front. The operation was disbanded on December 18, 1943, however, it was later reselected and executed.
Lucas did not have full confidence in his superiors or the operational plan. A few days prior to the attack, he wrote in his diary, "Unless we can get what we want, the operation becomes such a desperate undertaking that it should not, in my opinion, be attempted." and "[The operation] had a strong odor of Gallipoli and apparently the same amateur was still on the coach's bench."
The 'amateur' can only have referred to Winston Churchill, architect of the Gallipoli landings and personal advocate of Shingle.
One of the problems with the plan was the availability of landing ships. The American commanders in particular were determined that nothing should delay the Normandy invasion and the supporting landings in southern France (Operation Dragoon). Operation Shingle would require the use of landing ships necessary for these operations. Initially Shingle was to release these assets by January 15. However, this being deemed problematic, President Roosevelt granted permission for the craft to remain until February 5.
Only enough Landing Ship Tanks to land a single division were initially available to Shingle. Later, at Churchill's personal insistence, enough were made available to land two divisions. Allied intelligence thought that five or six German divisions were in the area.
Allied forces in this attack consisted of 5 cruisers, 24 destroyers, 238 landing craft, 62+ other ships, 40,000 soldiers, and 5,000+ vehicles.
The attack consisted of three groups:
This force attacked the coast ~10km north of Anzio.
This force attacked the port of Anzio. There had been plans to use the 504th Parachute Infantry Battalion in an airborne attack north of Anzio, however these plans were scrapped.
This force attacked the coast ~6km east of Anzio.
In the days preceding the naval assault, allied units along the Gustav Line began to attack. Meanwhile, the French Expeditionary Corps launched an attack to seize the flanks of the Liri Valley. During the same period, the US II Corps attempted to cross the Rapido. The forces assaulting the Gustav line were:
The Fifth Army's attack on the Gustav Line began on 16 January 1944 at Monte Cassino. Although the operation failed to capture its target, it did succeed in part in its primary objective. General von Vietinghoff, commanding the Gustav Line, called for reinforcements, and Kesselring transferred the 29th and 90th Panzergrenadier Divisions from Rome.
The landings began on January 22 1944.
Although resistance had been expected, as seen at Salerno during 1943, the initial landings were essentially unopposed, with the exception of Luftwaffe strafing runs.
By midnight, 36,000 soldiers and 3,200 vehicles had landed on the beaches. 13 Allied troops were killed, and 97 wounded. ~200 Germans had been taken as POWs. The 1st Division penetrated ~3km inland, the Rangers captured Anzio's port, the 509th PIB captured Nettuno, and the 3rd Division penetrated ~5km inland. General Lucas had his troops build up their supplies and forces, in response to which Winston Churchill said, "I had hoped we were hurtling a wildcat into the shore, but all we got was a stranded whale."
Kesselring was informed of the landings at ~0300, on the 22nd. At 0500 he ordered the 4th Fallschirmjäger and replacement units of the Hermann Göring Division to defend the roads leading from Anzio to the Alban Hills. In addition he requested that OKW send reinforcements from France, Yugoslavia, and Germany. Later that morning he would order Generaloberst von Mackensen (14th Armee) and General von Vietinghoff (10th Armee - Gustav Line) to send him additional reinforcements. Introduction
The Plan
Availability of Naval forces
Allied Force Composition
British Force
Northwestern US Force
Southwestern US Force
Other Forces
The Southern Attack
Initial Landings
Kesselring's Response